Music video game and guitar-like game controller

Abstract

A music video game provides a guitar shaped video game controller with an analog control device with touch sensor. In some embodiments the analog control device is in the form of a touch sensitive pad on a neck of a guitar shaped video game compeller. In some embodiments, the analog control device may resemble additional buttons on a neck of a guitar shaped video game controller. The analog control device may be used to simulate various techniques which may be performed on strings of a guitar.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A guitar shaped video game controller including an analog control device, comprising:
 a recessed surface molded into an exterior face of a surface of a neck of the guitar shaped video game controller, the recessed surface including at least one position marker to divide the recessed surface into a plurality of regions; and 
 a printed circuit board with a touch sensor attached to an interior face of the surface opposite the recessed surface; 
 wherein the printed circuit board detects contact made in the recessed surface; and 
 wherein control circuitry of the guitar shaped video game controller generates an input signal recognizable by an associated video game console as values of an axis of a control stick of a default controller, the input signal corresponding to a position of contact made on the recessed surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The guitar shaped video game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of regions are separated by tactile lines running across the recessed surface. 
     
     
       3. The guitar shaped video game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the touch sensor on the printed circuit board is an electric field proximity sensor. 
     
     
       4. The guitar shaped video game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the touch sensor on the printed circuit board is a resistive based touch sensor. 
     
     
       5. The guitar shaped video game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the touch sensor on the printed circuit board is a capacitive touch sensor. 
     
     
       6. The guitar shaped video game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the touch sensor on the printed circuit board is a radio frequency based touch sensor. 
     
     
       7. The guitar shaped video game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the dimensions of the printed circuit board are substantially similar to the dimensions of the recessed surface. 
     
     
       8. The guitar shaped video game controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a sliding actuator for contacting the recessed surface.